We’ve lived so long under the spell of hierarchy—from god-kings to feudal lords to party bosses—that only recently have we awakened to see not only that “regular” citizens have the capacity for self-governance, but that without their engagement our huge global crises cannot be addressed. The changes needed for human society simply to survive, let alone thrive, are so profound that the only way we will move toward them is if we ourselves, regular citizens, feel meaningful ownership of solutions through direct engagement. Our problems are too big, interrelated, and pervasive to yield to directives from on high.
—Frances Moore Lappé, excerpt from Time for Progressives to Grow Up

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Pandora's False Promises [Propaganda alert!]

Click here to access article from Beyond Nuclear.

I learned from a recent email that on November 7, CNN will air the pro-nuclear power documentary Pandora's Promise. I totally missed the fact that it was already released to cinemas during the summer. Anyway, TV coverage, especially from CNN, is far worse because it reaches so many more people.  

A significant section of our ruling class directors finally understand the risks of climate destabilization related to fossil fuel use. Despite the ongoing spilling of dangerous radioactive materials in the ocean off Fukushima, they really have no alternative but to turn to nuclear energy to sustain the growth required by the capitalist organization of society upon which their wealth and power depend. This latest cinematic production, Pandora's Promise, is designed to counter any ideas you might have about the obvious threats posed by nuclear power.
Pandora's Promise, is a new pro-nuclear propaganda documentary released theatrically in the US in July 2013. It is funded in part by individuals with a vested interest in seeing the development of new reactors and is seemingly a vehicle by which to raise the profile of the anti-environmental Oakland think tank, The Breakthrough Institute, whose personnel feature prominently in the film. Despite the film's premise and early claim that it features "a growing number of leading former anti-nuclear activists" who now support nuclear energy, no one in the film ever led the anti-nuclear movement. Nor was any credible, independent scientific or medical professional with expertise in the areas covered in the film consulted or featured. Beyond Nuclear has bird-dogged the film from the beginning, and has produced numerous critiques.